Vatican City, Jan 27, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Speaking to a group of Polish scientists and academics, Pope John Paul II stressed again that scientific investigation must promote, not degrade, human dignity.

The Holy Father received on Tuesday Archbishop Zygmunt Kaminski with a delegation from the University of Szczecin.

“You have come,” said the Pope, “on the occasion of a special event. The senate of the university decided that the university will embrace within its walls the Faculty of Theology that until now has carried out its scientific and educational activity independently.”

John Paul II emphasized that a theological faculty "comes about due to the need for dialogue between reason and faith. This type of dialogue is necessary so that the fruits of scientific research in different disciplines serve the full development of human beings.”

“Just as reason cannot be separated from the soul, science cannot be fully transmitted without keeping in mind the needs of the human soul which is open to the infinite,” the Pope said.

“In addition, development in the sciences entails many ethical questions that should be resolved while respecting the autonomy of the sciences and the spirit of truth,” he added.

“The collegial tendency toward the knowledge of truth about man, the dignity of the human person, the value of life and, at the same time, the greatness of scientific results in all disciplines, will surely serve in the deeper study of transmitted knowledge,” the Pontiff concluded.